VILLA ARDORE

Few places capture the imagination — and the heart — quite like Tuscany. Any visitor is likely to spend the long winter months dreamily recalling the vibrant piazzas of medieval villages, the thoughtful pause over Renaissance sculpture, or the sweeping hills of leafy vineyard. Amid such abundant landscape sits Villa Ardore, a classic Tuscan farmhouse with roots dating back to the 16th century, sensitively renovated and reborn in contemporary comfort. Up to 18 guests can be accommodated across eight suites, with air conditioning, heated flooring throughout the main villa, upscale linens, robes, and high-quality furnishings found in every room.

Outside, a lovely heated pool offers easy-access steps and a gently trickling fountain feature, edged with stone terracing and furnished with sun loungers and parasols. Far-reaching views are framed by sentinel cypress trees, taking in the olive orchards and vineyards that rise towards the hilltops of Chianti, with the medieval towers of San Gimignano visible on the horizon.

Inside, a fantastic spa area features a large plunge pool with a view, a 10-person steam room, a spacious sauna, and a separate hydro-shower, with massage tables also available poolside on request. The villa’s wine cellar boasts a selection of over 500 wines, including Brunello, Sangiovese, and Super Tuscans.